Offering the keen insight and expertise of a new author team and new contributors, the Fourth Edition of Kotch's Maternal and Child Health: Problems, Programs, and Policy in Public Health continues to offer a comprehensive, trusted introduction to the field of maternal and child health (MCH), while addressing the traditional MCH topics in a modern context that includes race/ethnicity, an expanded family focus, and a broadened approach that will appeal to health professionals both in and outside of public health practice. Organized according to fundamental principles of MCH, the book covers traditional MCH topics such as family planning and maternal and infant health as well as skills that are applicable across Public Heath disciplines such as planning, research, monitoring, and advocacy. Thoroughly updated, the Fourth Edition offers: - New chapters on Rights, Justice and Equity (1), Environmental Health (12), Child and Mental Health (15), Medicaid and CHIP Coverage for Women and Children (20), and Leadership in Maternal and Child Health (22) - Expanded focus that goes beyond maternal and child health to include father, partner, and family health - Broadened perspective to include professionals outside of public health (e.g. social work, nursing) - New and updated graphs, figures, and tables to clarify concepts - Discussion questions and additional resources have been added to each chapter - Navigate eBook access (included with each printed text) enabling access online or offline from your computer, tablet, or mobile device

This book provides a practical, multidisciplinary approach to support a broad range of health professionals, social workers, public health workers and others tasked with providing health and care to young adults. The continuum of life begins with the health and wellness of parents prior to conception, followed by embryonic and fetal development, and continues throughout life. Each person's life stages prepare them for the next and determine their health outcome and wellbeing over time. The text highlights the importance of promoting health throughout the lifespan, the influence of intergenerational health, and the concept of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease in epigenetic processes and embryology. Authors underscore the importance of advancing health equity and lift up some of the ethical considerations in this work. The authors explore specific interventions in four major categories: Lifestyle, Infections, Nutrition, and Contraception / Pregnancy Planning (LINC). Preconception care is defined by the World Health Organization as the provision of biomedical, behavioural and social health interventions to women and couples before conception. Preconception care includes evidence-based interventions to improve health status, to reduce behaviours, individual and environmental factors that contribute to poor health outcomes. This book offers readers evidence-based guidance regarding fertility awareness and sperm health, genetic counselling and lifestyle assessments, as well as mental wellbeing, alcohol, tobacco and pharmacotherapy, and specialist care for those with chronic conditions, including a review of medications. It also covers relevant infections, including HIV and the Zika virus, as well as different types of environmental and occupational exposure. The book employs a framework focusing on health promotion, the social determinants of health, and the science behind preconception care. Strategies for improving preconception and interconception health, including examples from around the globe, are described in detail.